Multiform envelope



Feb. 1, 1944. v. J. SAWDON MULTIFORM ENVELOPE 3 Sheets-Shee't 1 Filed May 29, 1941 EIZ'LTIZZZI:

. INVENTOR. V/cfor J Sawdon BY WQ M ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 1, 1944 OFFICE- MULTIFORM ENVELOPE Victor J. Sawdon, Bronxville, N. Y.

Application May 29, 1941, Serial No. 395,791

'1 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiform envelope structure of the type which includes an outer section or cover and an integral inner section adapted to be detached to form a return envelope. The structure is arranged to'provide the necessary postal inspection for lower class mail when the envelope structure is originally sent out, while the return envelope is adapted for complete sealing and dispatch as first class mail matter.

The arrangement constitutes an improvement on the multiform envelope disclosed in the patent to Sawdon, No. 2,158,528. In the construction shown in said patent the necessary accessibility for postal inspection is provided by employing a cover section with a free margin, and tacking a side fiap of the return envelope lightl in place so that it can be pulled out by the inspector. With this construction the free edge of the cover section makes it easy to see any message which may be carried by the inner face of such section. Moreover, the readily detachable connection of the return envelope side fiap detracts to some extent from the security of such envelope and makes it desirable to provide a special strip of gum on the closing fiap to secure the side of the envelope and protect its contents.

A general purpose of this invention is to provide an improved multiform envelope structure of the indicated type in which the message on the inside of the cover section is normally concealed while permitting the necessary postal inspection. A further purpose is to provide an improved type of opening for postal inspection which will permit the provision of a return envelope having a pocket sealed on all-three sides. A further feature is the provision of an improved locking construction for the cover flap, arranged to facilitate the preparation of the envelope structure for mailing by tucking a fiap in place without gumming, but which is also adapted for initial sealing by gumming while permitting the required postal inspection.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multiform envelope embodying the invention, with the cover and return envelope sections folded together, ready for closing and final attachment or insertion of the cover flap;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank with the return envelope pocket folded up and glued;

Fig. 3 is a plan view from the front of the cover section with the return envelope folded against said section;

Fig. 4 is a similar view from the opposite side with the retaining flap folded over the return envelope; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the return envelope pocket shown in Fig. 2.

The multiform envelope comprises a cover section I0 and a return envelope section II formed from a single sheet of paper and separated by easy tear line |2 which may be scored, perforated, creased or otherwise prepared in known manner. The cover section ||l comprises a body panel l3 and a bottom flap |4 connected along crease line l1, flap |4 being substantially coextensive with panel l3 when folded into position, except that the outer margin l5 may be cut away slightly to lie a short distance below the registering margin of panel I3 to facilitate insertion of the closure flap l6.

The return envelope section II comprises a body panel 20 in register with fiap M and. provided with a suitable connected flap structure arranged to be folded over the inner face of the body panel 20 and attached thereto to form a closed pocket. In the construction illustrated this is accomplished by providing a bottom flap 2| adapted to be folded against the inner face of panel 20 with the margins of flap 2| spaced inwardly from the margins of panel 20 to an extent suflicient to facilitate folding. The inner side margin of fiap 2| is attached to body panel 20 substantially throughout its length as by a strip of gum 22. The opposite side margin of bottom fiap 2| is likewise sealed. In the form shown in Figs. 1-4 this is accomplished by providing side flap 23 integral with the outer side margin of body panel 20, folded inwardly over the margin of bottom flap 2| and attached thereto by gum 24. In the form shown in Fig. 5 flap 23 is omitted and the outer side margin is adhesively attached to panel 20 by gum 28.

While gum 24 or 28 may be arranged as disclosed in the above mentioned Patent No. 2,158,528 for ready detachment to permit withdrawal of flap 23 for postal inspection, the present construction eliminates the necessity for such an arrangement, and gum 24 or 28 advantageously extends along substantially the entire length of the side of fiap 2|, providing a pocket 25 between panel 20 and bottom flap 2|, that is permanently closed on three sides to provide secure retention of articles placed therein.

A closure flap 26 extends from the upper edge of panel 20 in register with the cover section body panel It and connected theretoalong crease line H. lisp Itissubstantially coextensive withsaid panel and section, except that its free may advantageously be slightly cut away to facilitate folding. The inner face of closure flap 2' .-isprovidedwithamarginalstripofgumll adtioned patent if desired.

Inordertocoverthefreesideedgesofthereturn envelope section I I when folded against the inner face of the cover section II, a retainingflap ll is provided along the side edges of body panel I! and bottom flap ll opposite to tear line 1 1181 marginal strip tion shown in Fig. 3. Retaining flap Cl is folded over the free edge of section II as indicated in Pig. 4, and the sections are folded along crease line ilasindicatedinl'igJtobringtheretur-n envelope closure i'lap 28 into register with panel 2|. The multiform envelope is then prepared for mailing either by tucking closure flap ll between adiacentedges of bottom flap lland bottom nap It, or flap it may be provided with the of gum I: and adhesively attached to the outer face of bottom flap I4. Buch attachment may be sumciently light to permit ready breaking thereof for postal inspection.

when assembled in the indicated manner the 1| multiform envelope has the size and appearance :0 of closure flap II II, theend of flap II opposite to closure flap ll advantageously extending substantially to the free edge of bottom flap ll to form a bend which will underlie and retain the adJacent side of flap II when the envelope structure is assembled. 4

The construction that has been described is suitable for use in various ways and may be structurally modified to adapt it to diflerent uses without departing from the invention. The specific form illustrated is adapted to carry a message from the sender inscribed on the inner face of bottom flap ll of the cover section II, and such message may also extend onto the inner face of body panel it. Since multiform envelopes of this type are sometimes employed to call attention to unpaid bills or for similar communications which it may be desirable to conceal as far as possible without preventing postal inspection. the location of such a message on the inner face of cover section II is advantageous since in this position it is concealed by flap from casual inspection when the envelope structure is closed for mailing.

The inner face of the return envelope section II is adapted to carry any desired communication from the receiver to the sender, together with such data as may assist the sender upon reoeipt of the return envelope. This may advantageously include the name and address of the receiver; and in the form illustrated the body panel I! of the cover section II may be provided with a window 3| through which the sender's name and address on flap 2! are visible when the multiform envelope is originally mailed. The retaining flap 3| will likewise serve to conceal any inscription on the inner face of return envelope section ll, except the portion thereof which may be visible through window 8 I.

It will be understood that when window ii is not included the receiver's name and address may be inscribed upon the outer face of panel II, which may also carry the sender's retiu'n address and the usual guarantee of return postage. Likewise the outer face of panel 20 of the return envelope section I i may be printed with the sender's name and address and with the customary postage guarantee. a V

The blank for the multiform envelope is adapted to be printed and gummed by standard machinery. After folding up flaps 2| and 23 of the return envelope section and gumming them in place as already indicated. the return envelope section ii isthenfoldedalongtearline it against the inner face ofcover section II into the posiof an ordinary postal inspection envelope. Retaining flap 3. conceals from casual inspection the subject-matter carried by the inner faces of sections II and Ii, and holds the adjacent side securelyinplace. The envelope is readily accessible for postal inspection, if desired, by pulling out retaining ilap II, and by withdrawing closure flap It where the same is tucked in place as heretofore set forth. The

25 combination envelope is readily opened and 3 tearing along line spread into the position shown in Fig. 2 by the receiver with all inscriptions on the inner faces of sections it and II readily visible. The return envelope section II is conveniently detached by l2, and constitutes an envelope of standard construction adapted to receive a check or letter and to be sealed conveniently in the usual manner to form a securely closed first class mail envelope.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiform envelope structure comprising a cover section, an integral pocket-forming section separable from the cover section and arranged to form a return envelope when separated, the return envelope section being foldable along one edge against the inner face of the cover section, a flap on the cover section foldable over the opposite edge of the envelope section and unattached thereto, and a closure structure on the cover section.

2. A multiform envelope structure as-set forth in claim 1 in which the sections when folded together are transversely foldable to bring opposite ends of both sections into superposed position, and in which the closure structure comprises a flap on one of said ends of the cover section foldable over the opposite end of the envelope section.

3. A multiform envelope structure comprising a cover section, an integral return envelope section foldable along one ide against the inner face of the cover section, the return envelope section including a return envelope body portion arranged to form a pocket closed on three sides and a flap portion extending along the fourth side, a flap on the cover section foldable over the other side of the return envelope section when the sections are folded together and extending along substantially the entire length of said other side. the sections and flap when folded together being transversely foldable to bring, opposite ends of the sections into superposed position, and a cover flap on an end of the cover section foldable over the ends of the envelope section.

4. A multiform envelope structure comprising a cover section, an integral, pocket-forming returning envelope section foldable along a side edge against the inner face of the cover section, said sections when folded together being transversely foldable to bring ends of both sections into superposed position, and a cover flap on one end of the cover section insertable between the opposite end of the cover section and the contiguous end of the envelope section to hold said sections in folded position.

5. A multiform envelope structure as set forth in claim 4 in which the cover section is provided with a iiap foldable over the free side edge of the envelope section adjacent said opposite end, arranged to retain the ends of the sections and the closure flap in place.

6. A multiform envelope structure comprising a cover section including two body panels in series, an integral return envelope section including a flap panel and two body panels, aligned side margins of said flap panel and an adjacent body panel being connected to side margins of the cover section body panels along a line of.

rupture, the bodypanels oi the return envelope section being superposed and connected to form a pocket closed on three sides, the return envelope section being foldable along the line of rupture against the inner face of the cover section, a flap extending along the other sides of the cover section body panels and foldable over the free margin of the return envelope section, the sections and flap when folded together being transversely foldable to bring the opposite ends of the sections into superposed position, and a cover flap on an end of the cover section.

7. A multiform envelope structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the flap and body panels of the return envelope section are arranged in series and the end body panel is folded over and attached along its lateral margins to the adjacent return envelope section body panel to form-a 20 pocket closed along three sides.

VICTOR J. SAWDON. 

